Having a pretty good understanding of compassion and helping others in need, the story of the ten virgins in the book of Matthew, chapter 25 gnawed at me. Let me explain, five soon to be wedded brides took extra oil to wait for the bridegroom and five did not. The bridegroom was delayed and they all fell asleep. When he did arrive (around midnight), they awoke and went out to the meeting place. The five who were not prepared asked the five prepared virgins for some oil because their lamps were about to go out and they said no! Hold it right there! This is where I didn’t understand the lack of compassion and willingness to help. Why wouldn’t they share? Why didn’t they all walk together so they all could see? Why was there no other solution than, “No. Go buy your own.” For years this story bothered me. It sounded like a contradiction to what I’d had been taught. Then earlier this month my uneasiness was calmed.

Looking at this story again 10 girls/women/ladies were getting ready to be married. Five obviously wanted to be married, they made sure they had extra/more than enough/”just in case” because they were going to see their man! The other five went along for the journey but it doesn’t appear that they really wanted to be married. Having gone through a wedding myself and knowing other brides, when you’re planning on getting married, you do your best to make sure everything is prepped and ready to go with a contingency plan/emergency kit/”just in case” waiting in the wings.

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In life if we do not desire the outcome we are looking for (be it marriage, success, monetary wealth, advancement, passing a test, etc) and do not prepare for it, then when the time comes, the opportunity will have passed us by. In the end the five who went and purchased some more oil showed up to the meeting place late. They found the door was locked and knocked, asking entry. When someone answered, they said they didn’t know who they were and were not allowed in to the wedding.

If you want to be married – be prepared to be married.

If you want success – be prepared for the timing of success.

If you want to pass that test – be prepared to pass the test.

Make a concrete decision, and take the steps necessary to enjoy the meeting place of your desired outcome instead of being locked out/denied access because you weren’t prepared because you weren’t sure you really wanted it!